History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 44

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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L' Taylor

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Fe, New Mexico, and taking part in the oper- ations against the Indians on the frontier. On being mustered out of service he returned to La Salle county and in 1856. the spirit of ad- venture and the hope of rapidly realizing a for- tune took him to California. He made the long overland journey across the plains and hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes until he eventually reached the land of gold, where he remained for three years, meet- ing with fair success in his undertakings there.

On again coming to La Salle county, Major Gibson took up his abode in Ottawa, where for a time he conducted a furniture business. He was thus engaged at the time of the outbreak of the war between the north and the south. His military ardor was at once aroused, for he had watched with interest the progress of events that showed the growing dissatisfaction among the southern people. Believing firmly in the su- premacy of the Union cause, he resolved to strike a blow in its defense if the south carried out its threats of secession. Accordingly on the 22d of April, 1861, he enlisted in the United States army under the first call for troops to serve for ninety days, becoming Captain of Company H, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On the expiration of that term of service he re-enlisted in the fall of 1861 and was assigned to duty with Company B, Fifty-third Illinois Infantry. He was in all the battles of the regiment until after the engagement of Corinth and in recognition of his able service and knowledge of military mat- ters he was commissioned major, by which title he has since been known.

Following his return to the north Major Gib- son was elected to the office of state legislator in 1863 and has been more or less actively connected with the political interests of the county since that time. In 1879 he was appointed by the board of supervisors as county agent, which po- sition he filled with credit and profit to the coun- ty for sixteen years. He has never been found negligent in the performance of any duty and his fidelity to the trust reposed in him stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. Since 1878 Major Gibson has been engaged in the real-estate and fire-insurance business and has had a good clientage in this regard, negotiating many im- portant realty transfers and handling much val- uable property.

One of the most important events in the life of Major Gibson occurred on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1856, when he was united in marriage to Miss Susan S. Sample, who was born on April II, 1833, and is a daughter of L. R. Sample, who in the early days was one of the esteemed resi- dents of Ottawa. She is pre-eminently a home-

loving woman, one who in her own household sheds around her much of life's sunshine. Many acts of kindness and deeds of mercy are attributed to her and all who know her entertain for her the warmest regard. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are members of the Episcopal church and Major Gibson belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and to the Loyal Legion of Chicago, while in Masonic fraternity he has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. Both have a large circle of warm friends. It is not an exaggerated statement to say that Major Gib- son is one of the best loved men in Ottawa, for his personal qualities have been such as have en- deared him to all with whom he has been brought in contact. A' most interesting event in the lives of Major and Mrs. Gibson was the celebration of their golden wedding on the 5th of February, 1906. For thirty-six years they have resided in the home where on that date many of their friends called to offer congratula- tions and expressions of good will. All dur- ing that day neighbors and friends called and in the afternoon a number of Knights Templar commandery called at their home and presented them with one hundred dollars in gold. In the evening members of Seth C. Earl post and the Woman's Relief Corps went in a body together with other friends outside of their organizations and Major and Mrs. Gibson were on that oc- casion made the happy recipients of many beau- tiful gifts. On this occasion there was read a poem written by Mrs. Giles H. Roberts in honor of the occasion.

STEPHEN ARNOLD. .

Stephen Arnold, abstractor of Ottawa, is a native of Germany, born January 28, 1838. The first fourteen years of his life were spent in the land of his nativity and in 1852 he came to the United States, after which he resided for two years in New York city, during which time he attended the English schools, thus acquiring a knowledge of the language used by the people among whom he had cast his lot. In the summer of 1854 he arrived in La Salle county, Illinois, lo- cating in Mendota. For many years he has figured prominently in public life. He was first called to office in 1869, when he was elected justice of the peace at Mendota, filling that position accept- ably for eleven years, or until 1880, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He also served as an alderman of Mendota in 1872 and was a member of the school board there for nine years,

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doing effective service in behalf of public educa- tion. In 1876, he served as supervisor and in April, 1879, he was elected county recorder to fill the vacancy caused by the death of C. W. Denhard, and was three times re-elected to that position, so that he served continuously until December, 1892, when he retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all con- cerned. In the same year he turned his attention to the abstract business, which he has followed `continuously since, having his office at No. 626 La Salle street, and in this way he has become well known in business circles as a man of thorough reliability and enterprise.

Mr. Arnold was married in December, 1858, to Miss Margaret Hoffman, a native of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, born in 1841. They have become the parents of six children, five of whom are now living : Philip, a resident of McPherson county, Kansas; Herman C., who is engaged in the drug business at Hudson, Kansas; Henry L., who was employed in the county treasurer's office for eleven years and is now a candidate for county treasurer, having acted in that capacity following the death of Mr. Gnelich; Amelia, at home; and Arthur G., who is now living in Mar- seilles, Illinois.

Mr. Arnold is a member of Humboldt lodge, No. 555, A. F. & A. M. and his sons, Henry, Her- man and Arthur, are also connected with the Masonic fraternity. He was reared in the Luth- eran faith in Germany but has contributed to the support of the various denominations in La Salle county. The hope that led him to seek a home in America has been more than realized, for he has enjoyed good business opportunities here and has been honored with various positions of public trust wherein his faithful performance of duty has won him high regard and unqualified confidence.

HON. ELIJAH HENRY SPICER,

Hon. E. H. Spicer, deceased, was one of the leading citizens of Marseilles for many years. He represented his district in the state legislature and was accorded a position of prominence in public life in this part of the state. For nearly a half century he was a prominent and influential business man and dated his residence in the coun- ty from 1853. He passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey, his birth having oc- curred in West Warren, Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, April 20, 1828. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Peter Spicer, who settled in Virginia in 1635, and who in 1670 married Abigail Busicot. Roger Spicer, father of our subject, was a native of Connecticut and

was descended from English ancestry, who set- tled in Virginia in pioneer times. In the state of his nativity Roger Spicer spent the days of his boyhood and youth and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Berry, a native of Connecticut. On leaving New England he settled in Pennsyl- vania and afterward took up his abode in Tioga county, New York, where he engaged in farm- ing and reared his family. The last years of his life were passed in Illinois, where he lived for some time with his son, E. H. Spicer. He died, however, in New York in September, 1884, hav- ing for about ten years survived his wife, who passed away in 1874.

Mr. Spicer of this review was reared in Tioga county, New York, and supplemented his common- school education by a course of study in Owego Academy, that state. He followed teaching both in New York and Pennsylvania and after re- moving to Illinois engaged in the same profes- sion for several years. It was in 1853 that he came to this state, making a location in La Salle county, but afterward he returned to his old home in New York, where he taught school through the succeeding winter.

On the 22d of March, 1854, Mr. Spicer won a companion and helpmate for the journey of life through his marriage at Elmira, New York, to Miss Eunice Wood, who was born in Florida, Orange county, New York, January 24, 1830, and was reared and educated there. Her father was Jonathan Wood, formerly of Orange county and a soldier of the war of 1812. In April fol- lowing his marriage Mr. Spicer brought his bride to the west, reaching La Salle county on the 20th of that month. He located on his farm and engaged in general agricultural pur- suits, transforming the land into richly cultivated fields and adding many modern improvements. There he devoted several years to general farm- ing and in 1874 he removed to Marseilles, where he engaged in the real-estate business. He handled and dealt in Illinois land largely in La Salle county and also land in Nebraska. He helped to improve and make the town of Mar- seilles a thriving, enterprising village and his co-operation was always given to matters of gen- eral progress, his labors being a tangible element for good.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spicer were born nine children, of whom five are still living. The family record is as follows: J. H. Spicer is a resident of Hastings, Nebraska. Minnie is the wife of Rev. M. E. Dix, a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, now acting pastor in Lena, Illinois. Abbie J. is the wife of Fred Sehring, express agent at Marseilles. Emma E. is at home. William H. is engaged in the gro- cery business at Marseilles. They also lost three children in infancy, and a daughter,

HON. E. H. SPICER.

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Ella, who grew to mature years and was a teacher in the county for some time. She died Feb- ruary 29, 1884.

Mr. Spicer was a life-long republican and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was elected and served as president of the town board and in numerous offices, acting as supervisor for twelve years. In the fall of 1874 he was elected to the legis- lature, remaining a member of that body for one term, during which time he served on the state institutions committee and on a number of other committees. He was frequently a delegate to the county and state conventions and was once chairman of the county convention. His influence was a potent element in local politics and he stood for reform and progress, for oppo- sition to misrule and for untiring devotion to the public good. . Mrs. Spicer and her daughter are members of the Baptist church, where Mr. Spicer was a regular attendant. His residence in the county covered fifty-four years. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1904, on which occasion all of their five children were present, two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, nineteen grandchildren and numerous friends who left them many beautiful and pleasing souv- enirs of that happy occasion. Mr. Spicer died May 13, 1906. He lived a long and useful life and helped to improve and make La Salle county what it is today. He was one of the public-spir- ited citizens, well known in Ottawa and Mar- seilles and in other sections of this and adjoin- ing counties. He had the confidence and good will of all, for his life was upright and honor- able and was of direct and permanent usefulness in the affairs of his community. He was a man of much more than the average intelligence, of sound business judgment and excellent character. His circle of friends and acquaintances was very large.

PATRICK H. McCORMICK.

Patrick H. McCormick, who is now living re- tired at No. 738 Congress street, Ottawa, was born in Longford county, Ireland, in 1836 and was left an orphan when only eight years of age. He has three brothers and one sister who are liv- ing in La Salle county : Richard, who owns a farm in Grand Rapids township; Christopher, who also has a farm in that township; James, who is retired and lives in Seneca, but is the owner of a valuable farm property in Brookfield township; and Margaret, the widow of William Danaher and a resident of West Ottawa.

Patrick H. McCormick was the first of the family to locate in La Salle county. His boy- hood and youth were passed in the land of his nativity and in 1850, when a youth of fourteen years, he came to the United States, hoping that he might enjoy better business opportunities and advantages in the new world. The voyage across the Atlantic was made in a sailing vessel and for a time he remained in New Jersey, where he followed the occupation of farming. In Sep- tember, 1852, he came to the middle west, mak- ing his way direct to La Salle county, where he began working by the month as a farm hand. He saved his money and finally through his economy and industry was enabled to purchase a farm, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Grand Rapids township, comprising the old home farm; and eighty acres in Fall River township. As the years passed he transformed his farm into productive fields and annually harvested good crops. He added modern equipments, built fences, put up good buildings and otherwise im- proved the property, continuing to make his home upon his farm and engage in its active management until five years ago, when he retired from business life and removed to Ottawa, pur- chasing his present fine home.

Mr. McCormick was married to Miss Mary Heoy at Ottawa. The lady was a native of County Longford, Ireland, and came to La Salle county about five years after the arrival of Mr. McCormick. She was to him a faithful com- panion and helpmate on life's journey for many years and her loss was deeply deplored not only by her immediate family but by her many friends when, on the 8th of March, 1895, at the age of sixty-one years, she was called to her final rest. She left a family of six children, all born in this county, namely : Mary Ann, at home: Eliza. twin sister of Mary, and the wife of Jake Koons, residing in southern Illinois ; Sarah, the wife of William Martz, a resident of Iowa ; Catherine, the wife of John White, who is living in Missouri; Edward, a teamster who is married and resides in Marseilles, Illinois ; and James J., a resident farmer of Grand Rapids township.

Mr. McCormick exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and he is a member of the Catholic church. A self-made man, he started out in life on his own account when only eight years of age and has since depended entirely upon his la- bors for the success that he has enjoyed. As the years have gone by he has worked earnestly and persistently and since coming to America has

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made a most creditable business record. His life history should serve as a source of inspira- tion and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished through determined will, strong purpose and laudable ambition. The suc- cess which he is now enjoying is well merited and he is accounted one of the respected citizens of his adopted county.

WILLIAM CULLEN.

William Cullen, now living retired at No. 622 Orleans street in East Ottawa, came to La Salle county from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1846. He was born in north Ireland in 1826, a son of James and Jane (Cassidy) Cullen, who came to America in 1832, settling in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. There the father was employed in the blacksmithing department of the Fort Pitt works and so continued until 1846, when he removed with his family to La Salle county, Illinois, set- tling on a farm in what is now Adams township. He was then past sixty years of age, so that William Cullen, at that time a young man of twenty years, took up the work of the farm, broke the prairie and improved the land, trans- forming it into richly cultivated fields. The father died in Ottawa in 1866, at the age of eighty-two years, while his wife passed away early in 1885, at the age of about ninety-three or ninety-four years. In the family were seven children, of whom but two are now living, a sis- ter. Mrs. Eliza Brayton, a widow, making her home in Somonauk, DeKalb county, Illinois.

William Cullen was practically reared in Pitts- burg, acquiring his education in the public schools and in an academy there. Following the removal of the family to the west he followed farming for eighteen years in Adams township, at the end of which time he took up his abode in Ottawa, where for twenty years he was part owner and senior editor of the Republican. Thus he was long connected with journalistic interests of the county and as a private citizen and in his business capacity he stood as the champion of many progressive measures which have been of direct bearing upon the public welfare. In the fall of 1864 he was elected sheriff of the county on the republican ticket and served for one term. He was also deputy under Sheriff Wal- ter Good. He continued in the Republican of- fice until 1887 and in the meantime was a very active factor in political circles. Aside from the local offices which he filled he was elected in 1880 to represent his district in congress and after his first term of two years was again chosen for the position and thus through twomitted to the bar before the supreme court of

regular sessions took part in the deliberations in the council chambers of the nation. He as- sisted in organizing the republican party and has always been one of its stalwart champions in La Salle county.

Mr. Cullen was married to Miss Mary A. Ber- risford, who was born in 1829, being one of the first white children born in this county. Her father, Robert Berrisford, came here at a very early day and was associated with the Rev. Walker in ministering to the Indians and doing missionary work among them. Mrs. Cullen de- parted this life October 7, 1905. There were

three children of this marriage. One son, Charles Sumner Cullen, is now state's attorney of La Salle county. He attended the schools of Ottawa, completing his literary course in Adrian College in Michigan and studying law under the direction of Judge Blanchard at Ottawa. H has for twenty years or more been a practitioner of La Salle county bar and makes his home with his father. Miss Flora Helen Cullen is stenog- rapher in the attorney general's office at Spring- field.

Socially William Cullen is connected with the Masonic fraternity and he belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His strong personali- ty, his broad and progressive views and his busy and useful career have made him a power for good wherever he has dwelt.

HENRY M. KELLY.

Henry M. Kelly, one of the successful prac- titioners at the bar of La Salle county, was born in Ottawa-the city of his residence-May 22, 1865, his parents being Martin and Ellen (Meagher) Kelly, who are represented else- where in this work. He pursued his education in the public schools of Ottawa, passing through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school at the age of eighteen years. Putting aside his text-books, he at once entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with which he remained for two years and on the expiration of that period he resigned in order to accept a better position in the service of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company, also representing that cor- poration for two years. While thus engaged he spent all of his leisure time in the study of law in an earnest endeavor to prepare for the pro- fession which he had determined to make his life work. On leaving the railroad service he entered the office of George W. W. Blake, under whose direction he pursued his studies until ad-

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Ottawa in 1891. He continued with Mr. Blake for some time and was assistant state's attorney during Mr. Blake's incumbency as state's attor- ney for two years. Subsequently he entered into partnership with his former preceptor under the firm style of Blake & Kelly, which relation was maintained for three years. Since the dissolution of the partnership Mr. Kelly has been in practice alone and his labors have been attended with excellent success.

-In 1894 occurred the marriage of Henry M. Kelly and Miss Mary Morrissey, a daughter of Lawrence Morrissey, at that time sheriff of La Salle county and now superintendent of the county asylum. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have a beautiful home in Ottawa which he erected in 1895 and which is graced with the presence of seven children: Harry and Marie, twins; Em- mett ; Melville ; Katharyn ; Laura and Lawrence.

Mr. Kelly holds membership relations with the Knights of Columbus, being a Sir Knight of his lodge, and was a delegate to the national con- vention of that order in California. He is a man who has brought his keen discrimination and strong intellect to bear not alone in professional paths but also for the benefit of the city which has so long been his home and with whose inter- ests he has been so thoroughly indentified. He holds and merits a place among the representa- tive legal practitioners of Ottawa and the story of his life, while not dramatic in action, is such a one as offers a typical example of that alert American spirit which has enabled many an in- dividual to rise from obscurity to a position of influence and renown solely through native tal- ent, indomitable perseverance and singleness of purpose.

JOHN K. SPENCER.

John K. Spencer is one of the few remaining old settlers of La Salle county, having been a witness of almost its entire growth and develop- ment. He was for a half century a prosperous farmer of this community, owning and operating one hundred and seventy acres of land within four and a half miles of Marseilles, where he now makes his home. His farm was in Rut- land township and he dates his residence in the county from June, 1853. Mr. Spencer is a na- tive of New York, having been born in Oneida county near Utica on the 23d of June, 1827, his father being George Spencer, a native of Massa- chusetts, born in 1788. The grandfather, Thomas Spencer, removed with his family from New England to the Empire state and cast in his lot with the early residents of Oneida county.

There George Spencer was reared and as a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Dolly Stewart, a native of Oneida county. A farmer by occupation, he engaged in the till- ing of the soil there for a number of years and about 1850 removed to Illinois, settling in La Salle county, where he purchased a tract of land in Rutland township, spending his last years thereon. He died there in 1870, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1857. In the family were five children, two of whom are living, Collins Spencer being a resident of Bates county, Missouri.

John K. Spencer passed the days of his boy- hood and youth in Oneida county, New York, acquired a common-school education and was reared to farm life. He went to California in 1850, sailing from New York and crossing the Isthmus of Panama, whence he proceeded up the Pacific coast to San Francisco. He then made his way to the gold fields and later he engaged in merchandising at a trading post. He spent two and a half years on the Pacific coast and was fairly successful in his undertakings there. He then returned by way of the isthmus route and New York city and shortly afterward came to Illinois, joining his father and the family, who had previously arrived in this state. He bought land in Rutland township, constituting the old home farm, and cared for his parents in their declining years, rendering to them filial devotion in return for their watchfulness over him in his youth. Mr. Spencer continued farming and the further improvement of his property, upon which he erected a good residence, substantial barns and fair outbuildings for the shelter of his stock and his grain. In fact he developed a valuable prop- erty and annually harvested good crops in return for the care and labor which he bestowed upon his fields. He was thus engaged until 1903 and gave some attention to stock-raising.

Mr. Spencer was married in Rutland town- ship, January 1, 1855, to Miss Catherine Pence Shaver, a native of Ohio and a daughter of David Shaver, who removed from the Buckeye state to La Salle county, becoming one of its pioneer residents. Mrs. Spencer was reared here, being the youngest of the family of twelve children, all of whom reached adult age. She was to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for many years but passed away in the spring of 1899, her death be- ing the occasion of deep regret to many friends. She had become the mother of five children, three of whom reached mature years : Edwin R., a business man of Marseilles, who is mar- ried and has two children, Ethel and Harry ; John W., a carpenter and joiner of Marseilles ;

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 44

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286